//------------------------------// // Industrial Complex (Battle of Canterlot Part 1) // Story: Operation Iron Hoof // by thewookie1 //------------------------------// February 13, 1944 Ponyville Market The sun shined brightly as Twilight and Spike made their way slowly through local market. The many pony folk without gifts were scrambling for gifts for Hearts and Hooves Day turning the usually organized marketplace into a complete mess with many ponies yelling and tents looking more disheveled than ever. “Chocolates! Four for a bit!” one pony yelled out. “Flowers! Get your blue and gold flowers here!” another yelled while raising a sign. “Roses! We have roses over here. Sweet smelling and de-thorned.” another vendor yelled as she stood atop her table to attract attention. “Spike, you be sure to stay with me. I don’t want you to get lost.” Twilight said to the little dragon walking beside her. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know Twilight.” Spike said with a dismissive wave. “Ah Spike, watch where you’re going…” Twilight said putting her hoof on her face as Spike walked directly into another pony. “Hey! Watch it!” a large stallion yelled startling the pre-occupied baby dragon. Grabbing Spike with her magic she lifted him back on her back before turning her head and giving him a scolding glare. “What are thinking about Spike?” Twilight asked again startling the dragon. “I’m trying to figure out what to give to Rarity. I want to give her something great! Then she will like me too!” Spike said standing proud upon Twilight’s back. “ Spike, what were you thinking to get her?” Twilight asked with a giggle. “Well, I was trying to figure out how to get a large amount of gems for Rarity so she wouldn’t have to go to the Diamond Dog’s territory again.” Spike said showing a simplistic picture Rarity being happy with gems above Rarity being sad with Diamond Dogs. “That’s nice of you Spike, what were you planning?” Twilight asked again as they restarted their path toward the grocery part of the market which was practically vacant at the time. “Well I was going to have Robert use his gums to scare that mean dragon from that one cave.” Spike said intently. “What! Spike that isn’t a good idea! That could get you and Robert hurt.” Twilight said so startled that Spike toppled to the ground. “But he said that he’d be willing to help me with stuff.” Spike said in defense. “I doubt he meant he would become your very own aggressive negotiator.” Twilight retorted receiving a scowl from Spike. “How am I supposed to be her knight in shining armor then?” Spike said depressingly. “You could make her a card.” Twilight suggested with a smile. “I can’t.” Spike replied hanging his head low. “Why not? I can help if you want me too.” Twilight said lifting the dragon back onto her back. “Somepony bought out the entire store of card making supplies earlier today.” Spike said in a depressed tone leaning on Twilight’s neck for comfort. “How do you know that for sure?” Twilight replied quizzically. “It is very unlikely all card supplies are out all over Ponyville.” “Look….” Spike said pointing to multiple card shops all with signs which said sold out. “Oh how can that be.” Twilight said while her jaw dropped in amazement. “Well we should have some paper at home” “But that’s just for scrolls, maybe we can give her another type of gift!” Spike exclaimed. “Like?” Twilight said quirking her eyebrow in curiosity. “Something foreign, something completely out of this world, something…..” A few hours later at Robert’s Tent HQ “You want me to find what?” Robert exclaimed in utter confusion. “Something cool from your world that will win me Rarity! Spike said practically jumping. “Like what?” Robert said glancing at Twilight who quickly mouthed “Sorry” “Clothes, do have any clothes she could use for inspiration or a massive fashion book from your world?” Spike said as he hopped on his tail like a pogo stick. “Well I do have some photos from France….” Robert said before Spike yelled. “Where!” “Somewhere in this mess of boxes” Robert said pointing to his tent which was now overfilled with boxes. Spike immediately hopped into the nearest box and began rummaging through its contents. “Where did these come from?” Twilight asked gesturing at the boxes and second tent outside. “High Command has shifted me here on a more permanent liaison position and is sending all my personal belongings here.” Robert said as he rubbed his forehead. Supposedly an actual HQ is on the SS’s building agenda but I doubt it.” “So you’re staying here?” Twilight said with a grin. “Yes, I guess so….” Robert said with little enthusiasm as he glanced over at Spike and quickly yelled “Don’t touch those boxes they won’t…… stand up without.” Boxes came crashing to the ground leaving an embarrassed Spike, angry Twilight, and annoyed Oberst in its wake. “Why….” Robert whined rubbing his head again. “Sorry Robert.” Spike said with pleading eyes. “Oh not this again….” Robert replied leaving Twilight and Spike confused. “You see the Crusaders were here earlier…” 2 hours earlier A scooter with wagon in tow zoomed down the freshly constructed dirt road toward the portal holding three fillies in helmets. “Ah sure hope Robert won’t mind helpen us.” the yellow pony in the wagon said to her friends; her red mane blowing about under the helmet. “I think he will Apple Bloom, he’s a nice pony.” the white filly replied; her purple three toned hair doing the same. “Ah sure hope yur right Sweetie Belle.” Apple Bloom said with a slightly worried expression. After a few minutes the scooter came to an abrupt stop in front of the large white tents which were situated near the portal. All three of them tossed their respective helmets into the wagon and walked over to the tent. “Hellooo, anypony home?” Apple Bloom shouted outside the tents causing the others to cringe. “I don’t think he heard you.” the orange filly with a purple mane said sarcastically earning a glare from Apple Bloom. Robert hearing the question and now the sound of arguing outside his tent flap, pushed back his chair and walked over to the flap. “Ah, hello?” Robert said looking down at the white filly holding the other two back from one another. “Oh, Hey Robert!” the three yelled in unison causing the officer to flinch. “For the last time I’m not letting you three anywhere near my rifle, or my grenades, or even my bayonet.” Robert quickly replied sternly. “That’s not what we’re here for though. We’re here to ask for your help.” Sweetie Belle asked promptly the all three to innocently look at the officer. As Sweetie Belle explained their need for help with the massive card Scootaloo and Apple Bloom wandered into the other tent. After a few minutes Robert agreed to help the fillies and shook Sweetie Belle’s hoof but as they went to tell the others a loud crash came from the other tent. “Aaaah Avalanche!” Scootaloo yelled running out of the tent with Apple Bloom following closely behind along with multiple brown boxes. Sweetie Belle blushed with embaressment as Robert stared at the mess mouth agape. “Guys what happened?” Sweetie said as she trotted over to her friends who were recovering from their sudden dash; while Robert just stood paralyzed in a state of disbelief. “We were hoping to do Mr. Robert a favor.” Scootaloo panted. “Yah, ah thought that he might want help unpackin his boxes.” Apple Bloom explained restraightening her bow. “Is he broken?” Scootaloo asked causing the other two to notice the officer gesturing with his hands in confusion while looking over the mass of spilled contents spread across the the tent’s interior and entrance. Back “Oh”, Spike replied as he scratched the back of his head. “How about I just give them to you tomorrow when I get into town?” Robert suggested as he again glanced over the recently made mess. “That sounds fine, Spike we have things to do.” Twilight quickly replied as she lifted the surprised baby dragon with her magic and left while waving good bye. “Good bye? I guess I have another mess to clean up….” Robert said to himself with a depressing sigh before bending down and beginning the clean up. February 26, 1944 German-Equestrian Industrial Center (35km S of Canterlot) “Mommy, can we please go to the Grand Opening!” a small brown colt pleaded with his mother as they walked to the market in the small town of Greensville (12km SW of Canterlot). “I already told you once Bronze, Mommy has to get a lot done today.” the older grey mare with a green mane said softly in reply. “But Mommy, the whomans are going to show a surprise! Please, please, please!” the colt continued doing his best puppy dog face. “Well, maybe if Mommy can get her shopping done we could catch the noon train…. I do have to visit my sister Polly in Ponyville…” she replied softly in return. “Yay! Let’s get the shopping done!” the little colt yelled as he dashed off toward the nearest stand. “Bronze Cap, get back here this instant!” the mare yelled chasing after her now ecstatic son. 3 hours later “Wow, Mommy, look at it all!” Bronze proclaimed upon seeing the massive, in progress, steel structures ahead of him. “Yes honey, it is very interesting to look at. It reminds me of the factories in Fillydelphia.” the mom replied with a grin while stroking her son’s mane. Then they approached the line and slowly made their way up the line, all the while Bronze Cap jumped in place in excitement. “Velcome” the SS soldier at the gate said as Bronze Cap and his mother received a pamphlet and walked into the bustling area in front of a podium situated on a stage. “Hi whoman guy!” Bronze replied, waving vigorously at the non-interested soldier. “Come on now, don’t bother the busy soldier.” his mother said calmly pushing her son away from the entry. After a few minutes of ponies ambling about trying to find a good place to stand or lay, a German soldier approached the microphone on the podium and tapped it to gain everyone’s attention. “Welcome, everyone to the to the first of many planned joint Industrial Centers between our country and yours!” the soldier spoke loudly in a subtle accent. “It is with great honor and privilege for me to aid such a friendly ally such as yourself! Though we have only known each other a short time, I already can see we have much to learn and share between our two cultures.” the translator announced. “For those who have not already read the pamphlets handed out at the gate, these steel structures are to become factories. These factories though, unlike your own, shall be equipped with the ability to mass-produce goods thanks to our genius engineers back home! These specific factories shall be building Volkswagens!” he announced further causing the crowd of ponies to erupt with stomping. “Ever since we arrived, ponies all over have asked about our many vehicles. We felt, that your curiosity should be quenched so we have also brought an already built Volkswagen model that these factories will produce!” he continued as he pointed to a red cape on an object. A soldier then pulled the cover off revealing a black Volkswagen Kübelwagen causing the crowd to stomp louder and begin to “ooo” and “aaah” “Look Mommy, a cobble-wagon!” Bronze yelled as he pointed to the car. “I see it honey, it’s very interesting looking.” his mother responded picturing how one operates such a device. “Already, both German and Equestrian engineers are formulating ways to allow ponies to drive these beauties!” he yelled over the already roaring crowd. Meanwhile in the lone completed building near the rear three ponies and an SS officer spoke over a desk with maps spread across it in the lobby of the future supervisor’s building. “We ponies of Equestria greatly appreciate your friendship Obersturmführer Otto.” a yellow earth pony with an orange mane said as she smiled at the young blonde officer. “As do we, to you Orange Burst.” the SS officer smiled back. “Now on to the materials we will need to operate these vehicles.” A gruff looking tan and black earth pony with a pump on his flank stepped up to the map and began to speak,” thanks to your people’s knowledge we figured out that the gooey black substance at the surface near Los Pegasus was indeed “crude” oil. Using a modified pump from the Rainbow Factory in Cloudsdale, we have begun pumping it into containers. Additionally we have set aside some land south of the city for this refinery you say is needed.” “I’m very impressed in you ponies, you are quite resourceful. I’ll be sure to get a few German oil refining experts to your plant along with some blueprints. “Obersturmführer Otto informed the three ponies while giving a nod. “How about you Rapidfire, has your Wunderbolts found any other of these exposed pits of crude oil?” “Not yet, but still we plan to head to the Haysead Swamps but they’re very dense with foliage. “ the fully garbed Wonderbolt stated with a less than enthusiastic attitude. “Sounds good, is there anything else I should know? The Reich can only help if you give us information to do so.” the officer/diplomat said as he began repacking his suitcase. “Well, the Princess would like to know if any of your high ranking officials plan to come to the Royal Wedding in about two months?” Orange Burst abruptly said jumping in front of the man. “I do not know, I will take it up with my superiors.” he stated with a nod before heading out the door into the busy crowds of ponies taking tours. “I hate this….” Rapidfire sighed as he turned to go back into the office. “Why is that Fire?” Orange lunged in front of the angered Wonderbolt halting his walk. “The Wonderbolts are showcolts and mares, and even at some times we were the elite of the Equestrian military! Now we’re being treated like neighborhood deliveryfoals!” Fire angrily commented with a snort. “But Princess Celestia feels it is best that we help our new friends with acquiring their gifts to us.” Orange replied. “Friends….” Rapidfire said in a sarcastic tone gaining a frown from Orange Burst. “I’m closer with Prince Blueblood than these two legged things.” “Rapidfire, this is all crucial to Equestria’s growth and development, just imagine driving one of those automobiles around.” Grey Pump stated as he walked up to the other two. “I have wings, I don’t need one of those strange contraptions.” Fire dismissed the idea with a groan of annoyance. “But what about us? Don’t you care about us on the ground too?” Orange said with pleading puppy dog eyes. “Fine, if you weren’t so cute little sister; I wouldn’t do this.” Rapidfire gave in to his sister’s pouty face. “You make me sound like a filly Fire.” Orange replied, “I’m only three years younger than you.” “Well you act like one…..” Rapidfire replied mockingly before jumping through the window and commencing full flight. “Typical….” Orange replied while rolling her eyes in annoyance. March 6, 1944 Twlight’s House/ Library A purple glow engulfs a bloody sheet a paper as Robert and Twilight eagerly await the findings on the paper’s purpose. Suddenly the glow creates sparks and the blood vanishes leaving a cleaner paper behind. “That’s all I can do; I moved the blood off this sheet and to a plain one.” Twilight said somewhat disappointed in her accomplishment. “Don’t get down, at least now I can read a bit more of the document” Robert replied with a reassuring smile as he picked up the document of the desk. Non-desirable or non-useful prisoners can be rid of at your will. “Odd….” Robert commented to himself gaining a curious look from Twilight. “These appear to be orders for executions of POWs and whatever “others” stands for. Though that would be against a bunch of “laws” written at a recent Geneva Convention. Then again I doubt that would stop them…” “Geneva Convention?” Twilight asked. “Some rules of war, that are loosely followed on how a war should be, and how occupying forces should behave.” Robert said blandly. “Loosely followed?” Twilight again followed up. “They have good intentions but putting rules on warfare itself is like telling gravity to stop making things fall. It did however put POW treatment as a high concern.” explained the Oberst. “What does that mean then?” Twilight asked further. “It means the SS are up to something in those camps; probably a lot more than just teaching so-called undesirables to be good Germans. Last thing we need is Allied forces deeming all of Germany evil for some SS commanders with thirsts for blood.” the Oberst angrily replied. With a disturbed look on her face Twilight decided not to press further and trotted out of the room leaving Robert to ponder angrily to himself. “Twilight, what’s wrong with him?” Spike whispered to Twilight outside the door, broom in claw. “I’m not quite sure Spike, and I’m not quite sure if I even want to know…” Twilight whispered back in response while proceeding to walk into the kitchen. {Twilight not wanting to learn something! That can’t be good.} Spike thought to himself while restarting to sweep the floor. {What the hell are they up to?} Robert thought to himself as he exited the library with both hands clutched in anger. But his thoughts were promptly interrupted by a trio of speeding fillies as their scooter-plus contraption ran into him leaving a human and 6 sets of hooves flailing on the ground. “Hey there O-burst, sorry about the crash.” Apple Bloom greeted “Ugh, hello girls….” Robert said as he sat up and tried to clear the stars from his vision. “Sorry Mr. Robert sir. Scootaloo, look what you did!” Sweetie Belle squeaked a scolding at her orange friend. “Sorry there, I hit a twig and it sent my wheel into a sharp turn.” Scootaloo solemnly said with her head bowed in sadness. “Oh, I’ll be fine girls. Be more careful though next time, what was your rush anyway?” he asked as he rubbed his head and gave a grin. “There’s a sale at SugerCube Corner! Buy three cupcakes, get a pie!” Sweetie Belle piped up while hopping to her hooves. “That’s an interesting sale…..” Robert started before being interrupted. “Hey O-burst, why don’t ya join us. You can have pie if ya like. It’s the least we could do after running you over there like a stampeding herd of cow.” Apple Bloom offered as she adjusted her bow. “I guess I could use some pie to take my mind off things. Alright girls, I accept your invitation.” Robert replied with a curt nod. The group made their way to the delightfully sugary store with the CMC bombarding Robert with new ideas they were thinking about. Upon arrival they noticed a massive line which brought a sigh to all of them. “Wow, I guess a lot of people, or well I guess ponies, like cupcakes and pie.” the Oberst commented and received nods from the fillies. {I wonder if Twilight could use her magic to make a baked good force someone to tell the truth? Maybe then I could get some answers on the POW sheet} Again he was drawn out of thoughts by commotion, however this time it was pink and jumping. “Hiya Robby!” Pinkie exclaimed jumping in front of the officer. “Huh…. Oh hello Pinkie Pie. You certainly seem to be having a successful sale.” he said as gesturing to the line and crowd outside eating their delectable treats. “Yepperoo! I was trying to teach the Cake twins how to make pie but they kept ignoring my examples. Next thing you know there’s hundreds of pies piling up in the kitchen and a tired Pinkie Pie. But then I ate a few pies and I felt good again……” Pinkie rattled off causing Scootaloo to role her eyes while Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle decided to discuss crusading ideas. After a few minutes, “Great story Pinkie Pie, but I’d really like to be able to contemplate something that’s been perplexing me all day.” he said while standing confused as he saw Pinkie quite literally suspended in mid-air. “Oooh, what sort of something! Is it a party!? I really like parties…” Pinkie Pie said as she resumed her jumping and obeying some laws of physics. “No Pinkie, not a party….” Robert replied as Pinkie raised her hoof to ask another question to which he interrupted “nor a surprise party, or any other sorts of fun celebration.” “You should Robby! Rattling your brain about a boring SS document won’t help.” Pinkie explained as her hopping ceased and she gave a more or less serious demeanor. “What, how? Ummm….. look the line is nearly to us. Isn’t that right girls.” Robert said trying to back out of an imaginary corner. “Yes, we are” Apple Bloom replied only partially paying attention. “Well Pinkie, can we go get our cupcakes now?” Robert said literally having to pull Pinkie off his arm. “Okie dokey loki!” she exclaimed before vanishing in a cloud of dust. “Well, I guess that’s over.” Robert commented gaining nods from the Crusaders. “Let’s eat.” March 24,1944 Dregen, German-held Austria Hidden mountain complex “The engineers say that the ponies are quite the effective builders; the first six oil wells are practically finished already thanks to their magic.” Obersturmbannführer von Falst said with great enthusiasm. “Quite impressive isn’t it; maybe after we have control of their country we can use them as labor.” Standartenführer Fransheim commented in response. “At this rate we should be able to get at least one Refinery up by May.” Von Falst added. “I expect two by May, and four by July. Any fewer, I’ll find a suitable replacement for you who can.” Fransheim said sternly. “I can, but only if we can get some more workers; the troops are stretched thin already between the patrols and the many building projects we have underway. Not to mention the tank factory we’re building that won’t have enough workers to even work one line. “Von Falst retorted with animated gestures. “You will get your troops Obersturmbannführer; for now you must make do. Also, you will be getting 3,000 more troops by the end of April, however they will be dressed in Wehrmacht uniforms in order to stop Oberst Johansson from sending anymore letters to High Command. Eventually he’ll figure out that we have been holding his mail.” Fransheim explained while spinning a pen on his desk. “It shall be done sir! Heil Hitler!” Von Falst responded before promptly giving a salute which Fransheim returned. Meanwhile, about 2000m away on a nearby mountain. “Looks like we have found ourselves a German base lads.” a camouflaged man with a MP-40 said while sipping some tea on a ledge with three others. “What’s Jerry up to Chris?” another man responded in a similar accent. “They’re having a party….how the hell should I bloody know what they are doing in there?” the first man angrily replied. “Shut it you two, I’m trying to get a message from command.” a third man manning a small communications radio scolded. “James, what are they saying?” the second man asked. “Shush.. I’m trying to decipher it.” James the radio operator said while he jotted down words in a small notepad. “Sir, the message is here.” Sounds exited the caves resembling a bear before another camouflaged man ducked on out of it. “What did London have for us this time?” he firmly asked. “London says that some intercepted intelligence on this place leaves them to believe that this cave must house an oil refinery. They want us to take care of it and then move on to Innsbruck.” James said while glancing down at his notepad. “Hmm, they must be wrong. There’s no way they could be refining anything here; the stench of oil is nonexistent along with a lack of smoke.” the British squad leader pondered aloud. “It must be pretty important though, whatever it is, they have the place swarmed with SS.” Chris said giving his binoculars to his superior. “You’re right, seems to heavily guarded to be nothing at all. I guess we are going to just have to find out.” the squad leader responded. “Maybe it’s some sort of tank factory, the bloody things have been going in and out of there all day.” the second man commented. “Good thought there Private Cunningham; maybe command was right to send you along.” the officer replied while giving a nod of approval. “James, send a reply to command asking for a bombing run. The base is crawling with enemies.” April 12th, 1944 Train-car approximately 15km from Canterlot, Equestria (Day of Royal Marriage) The sound of steel rails hitting wheels soothed the Oberst to sleep as he rode the train up to Canterlot after getting a strange feeling of anxiety. Why he was anxious was unknown to him but he thought it was just he felt bad about skipping the royal wedding of Twilight’s brother. The train jarred, awaking the Oberst and he noticed that Canterlot looked odd. “Guard, what’s with the bubble looking thing around the city?” Robert spoke loudly gesturing toward the city through the window. “There was a threat on the Princess’s life; so Captain Armor is putting a shield up around the city.” the white guard unicorn replied coming in the train-car from outside the door. “By the way, my name isn’t guard….. it’s Valiant Endeavor.” “Well Valiant, why not just guard the Princess more? I may have little knowledge of magic but I’d take a guess this must be a tiring job.” the Oberst commented. “The shield will keep all non-ponies out of the city, however we guards can open it up slightly in order to let you humans in and out.” Valiant stated pointing to his horn. “Alright, but what if the assassin is already inside?” Robert questioned further as two more Royal Guards came into the car. “Well they couldn’t be; we have guards everywhere.” a gray pegasus guard smugly replied. “Sky, he’s a superior officer.” a green pegasus guard whispered back to the gray one receiving an eye roll in response. “Really, how can you be certain?” Robert inquired further as Valiant tried to shush the cocky private. “The Royal Guard are the best of the best! We aren’t just the Equestrian Army ponies that sit on borders and watch grass grow. We protect the Princesses!” the gray pegasus proudly proclaimed in reply. “What he means Oberst is that we have trained for this sort of situation so there’s little to worry about.” Valiant said with an awkward smile to which Robert just gave a small laugh. “You remind me of my old friend Thomas, pegasus. Pompous and loud, but reliable.” the Oberst said with a smile. “I’d have to assume your combat ability is top notch seeing as you’re a Royal Guard.” “Certainly! The name is Sky Strike!” the gray pegasus said with a salute. “Calm down Sky Strike, the Princesses can probably hear you.” the green pegasus spoke up yanking down his overzealous friend. “Nice to finally meet a human officer who is actually willing to talk to us, the name is Cumulus Seed.” he said while shaking Robert’s hand. “Nice to meet you as well, interesting name too.” Robert replied with a smile. “Father was an earth pony which is why my name includes ground related words.” Cumulus replied with a huff. “Oh, do only earth ponies use ground related objects in their names?” the Oberst asked as he reached for his cup of coffee on the table next to him. “Yes.” Valiant answered watching Robert making scrunched up faces after drinking the coffee. “Could someone reheat this, it’s too strong to be drank cold.” Robert said as he reached out with his glass before it was enveloped in a bluish magical aura. “Thank you” “How warm?” Valiant said as he gestured to his horn implying he could heat it too. “Uh, nice and hot please.” the Oberst replied with curt nod. “Here you are sir…..” Valliant said as the train suddenly jerked forward causing the hot coffee to hit the table and everyone to fall toward the front spraying hot coffee over the occupants. “What the hell! We can’t be there yet! There are still trees on both sides of us.” the Oberst growled as he rubbed his now bruised knee which had nailed the table. “Good question… “ Cumulus said glancing out the window. “Who in Celestia’s name decided to pull the break?” Sky Strike said looking annoyed. “It must be a would be assassin!” he yelled throwing open the door and flying toward the front of the train while Valiant yelled in vain. “Oh ponyfeathers…. “ Cumulus said with underlying fear. “What is it soldier, spit it out!” Valiant barked as he tried magically dry his military orders now covered in coffee. “The shield…. it just shattered…” Cumulus replied in disbelief. “What? What do you mean it shattered!?” Valiant yelled tossing his coffee drenched orders aside and pushing the side of his head against the window to see Canterlot. “Uh… what’s going on?” the Oberst said trying to pull the cup handle out of the nearby wall. “The shield is gone…. It wasn’t supposed to go down until the end of the week.” Valiant replied while pondering aloud. “Oberst, we’ll be right back; we have to check on the engineer and see what’s wrong.” “Are you sure you don’t need any assistance?” Robert responded reaching to his Luger in its holster. “Don’t worry Oberst Johnsson, it’s probably nothing.” Valiant replied as both he and Cumulus left the car heading toward the front. As the two guards briskly walked through the cars they continued to find spilled contents of suitcases and goods all over the passenger cars. Once they had reached the coal car however they saw Sky Strike coming and stopped. “Sky! Over here!” Cumulus yelled gaining the attention of the gray pegasus. “What’s going on up their soldier?” Valiant spoke in a commanding tone. “Nothing sir, just some usual train maintenance and such; nothing special.” Sky replied back with a salute. “Really?” Valiant replied scrunching his face in confusion. “Does the engineer know anything about the shield going down?” “What do you mean? Oh, well he told me that it’s just going down for a little bit.” Sky said with a shrug before walking inside the car between them. “Didn’t you see it shatter Sky? Shields are supposed to slowly go down, not shatter.” Cumulus said grabbing his friend by the tail with his hooves. “Nope, I was too busy talking with the engineer to notice.” Sky said continuing to walk toward the back of the car. “Shields aren’t supposed to shatter like that, only under extreme pressure would it shatter. Sky we three need to check in with headquarters about this. We can use that new radio thing Robert’s friends gave us.” Valiant said reopening the door toward the coal car. “Already checked in sir, nothing is wrong.” Sky replied dashing back to close the front door knocking Cumulus onto the table inside the train car. “Watch it bud!” Cumulus yelled. “Fine Sky, just calm down stallion.” Valiant ordered giving a glare to Sky before turning back. “Watch out sir!” Cumulus yelled jumping off the table and tackling Sky into the reclosed door. “What the hay!” Valiant shouted turning around to find two of his Royal Guards wrestling on the ground. Suddenly a greenish glow appeared inside the mess of hooves and the green pegasus was flung across the car into a countertop. “What the…” Valiant said before himself being blasted by a green beam coming from Sky’s form on the ground. Sky rose to his hooves with a bruise over his right eye, opened the door and yelled, “I’ve found two more!” Then he turned back to see his catches only to get a skillet to side of the head and then blacking out. A greenish flame slowly burned away Sky to reveal a pony sized bug with wings and a jagged horn earning a curious glance from Cumulus. “What the hay is that thing!” Cumulus yelled at the unconscious changeling. “No idea, but he seems to have brought friends!” Valiant replied pointing his hoof at four more bug ponies approaching the train car from the forest. The four changelings bowed their heads before they unloaded four green magical blasts into the side of the car, shattering the windows before charging the car horns ablaze. “Here they come!” Valiant yelled picking himself off the ground again; feeling the glass shards rub against his body. Meanwhile, “What on Earth was that? “ Robert said as he heard a loud crash and bang from the front of the train. {Must be the engine re-firing.} After a few minutes however he’d be rudely jarred by a sudden loud blast accompanied with a shaking of his car. {Alright, that definitely wasn’t an engine.} Robert thought reaching down to grab his Luger out of his holster and flipping the safety off. The sound of a scuffle became louder as the Oberst slowly went through each car making sure they were clear of enemy combatants. As he reached the first passenger car he noticed a strange dark pony-like figure outside the side windows and crept over to the seats where the shades had been closed. “What in God’s name is that?” Robert whispered to himself. He then began to leave the chair when he heard some speech of sorts. “The trainzz is clearzz commanderzz” one silhouette said to another. “Good… the ponieszz were unprepared for our strike. Our Queen was right as alwayszz” the slightly larger figure said back. The far door opened and a changeling walked in only to go wide eyed and yell, “not clear!” and charge his horn. “F***!” Robert cursed as he quickly raised his Lugar and fired a round through the large bug’s eye causing it to stumble and fall back out the door. “What waszz that! Drones, find the loud pony!” the large figure outside the shutter yelled causing the sound of buzzing to be heard. “Go to hell!” yelled Robert as he fired a round at the dark figure through the shaded window causing glass to shatter. “Raah! Itzz here! Aaagh!” the figure screamed as it waddled out of Robert’s view. “Dammit, dammit, dammit!” Robert growled as cut down another changeling trying to enter the far door with another round. “Get itzz!” the figure yelled at the other changelings as they began firing magical blasts at the car knocking Robert out of his little perch. “Gah!” the Oberst yelled as he fell onto the floor. A changeling entered at the door nearest to Robert and hissed its fangs at the Oberst only to have a hole appear moments later in the back of its throat. “Taste lead you overgrown ant!” he yelled as he fired at a fifth changeling which came into the door’s pathway. He quickly got into a crouch position as green magical bursts flew above him and glass shattered all around him. He approached the door and put a bullet through the skull of another unlucky changeling as it tried to turn the corner. “Take itzz down!” the larger changeling yelled to his many drones. “Scheiße” Robert cursed under his breath as he shut the door. Three changelings ran to the door and began bucking at it as the Oberst leaned on it to keep it closed. Suddenly a black hoof punched through the door barely missing him and Robert moved forward careful not to cut his hands on the glass. The hole in the door continued growing larger until a changeling popped its head through the door only to promptly receive a muzzle piercing. Quickly getting up he looked out the window to see multiple black bugs approaching the train car with rage in their eyes. “Whatzz iz that!?” one of the changelings yelled before another shot rang out cutting down another of his comrades. Magical beams scorched through the car as Robert dove to the ground cutting up his uniform in the process. Another changeling jumped in through the window and landed on the human’s back causing Robert to drop his weapon. He quickly jumped back up over knocking the changeling into the nearby bar. Noticing some broken bottles on the ground; Robert grabbed the nearest one and yelled at the downed changeling puncturing its eye before grabbing his gun and ending the stumbling foe. “Nooo!” another changeling yelled as it entered the far door. Blindly it charged, intending to gore its target, only to be cut down with the Luger’s last round. The scent of blood and the sound of magical beams filled the air as Robert crept out of the train car slowly while reloading his Luger’s magazine slot before spotting three more of the bugs bombarding another train car further up. {They must be firing on the Guards} he thought as he crept a bit closer to his intended targets. Situating himself in a nearby bush the Oberst fired, cutting down the two closer to him and wounding the third which briefly had enough time to look over its shoulder before joining his comrades in changeling hell. An eerie silence rained over the train and the nearby forest as Robert crept up to the once bombarded train car to find his Royal Guard escort badly beaten up but still holding up behind a table. “Hey… you okay over there? the Oberst whispered from the far end of the train car’s now door-less frame. “Oberst is that really you?” Cumulus whispered back as he held his frying pan defensively. “Huh, yeah? Who else could I be? There isn’t a mass quantity of Germans waltzing around in the forest I can assure you.” Robert replied with a slightly sarcastic tone. “How do I know you’re not a changeling?” Cumulus whispered back. “A what now? I’m a human, did you take a bad hit to the head Cumulus?” Robert replied now entering the train car. “Stay back!” Cumulus whispered with more force waving the pan around with his wing. “Jesus, Cumulus……. The bugs are attacking us, and last I checked I don’t look like a bug.” the Oberst said as he rose his eyebrows in annoyance. “But changelings can change into anyone!” Cumulus yelled incidentally with a cough. “Huh? Changelings…… as in shapeshifters that feed on people?” Robert whispered back with some curiosity. “Yes but…..” Cumulus began to reply as a now angry Changeling Commander with a bleeding leg hole entered from door close to the downed Royal Guards. “Youzz killed my dronezz strange creature! And youzz dared injure my leg! Die!” the larger changeling yelled as he pointed down his horn to fire. Cumulus had other ideas however as he slammed the pan into the changeling’s helmet confusing him long enough for Robert to fire the rest of his magazine into the large bug. “Woh! Woh! What the hay was that!?” Cumulus yelled startled by the gunshots. “It’s a Luger, a pistol.” Robert said while rapidly reloading his last magazine into the weapon. “You killed it with that thing?” Cumulus said wide eyed in disbelief. “Well a fly swatter wouldn’t of worked, so yeah.” the Oberst responded with a brief chuckle as he made sure the enemy was dead. “Why’d you kill him though? I could of knocked him out.” Cumulus added. “He certainly wasn’t surrendering Cumulus…… I’d rather shoot first and ask later.” Robert said lifting the body with a groan. “Jesus, what do these things eat!?” “Love” Valiant replied softly as he slowly came to. “Love….. is that some sort of flower or term?” Robert asked dropping the body in the sink. “No, they feed on ponies’ love.” Valiant answered making Robert give a look of disbelief. “Oh this world just keeps getting better and better……..” he quipped to himself. “Oberst Johansson, go look for Sky and the conductor in the Engine please. We’ll patch ourselves up and wait here.” Valiant stated. “Alright, you hold here.” Robert said opening the door. Meanwhile in the train car "Sir he killed the changeling! Lethal force wasn't necessary!" Cumulus whispered to his superior. "Really? I guess humans aren't very fond of taking enemies alive......" Valiant responded.